I Just Bought A Trike!

Well, I've been bicycle-less since I moved to Chicago. And I've been car-less, since 2004. And despite my best plans and frequent pleadings to people with money, since the fall of last year, I've been Vespa-less.

Today, I bought the Next Best Thing!

Today, I bought a tricycle!

An Adult Tricycle!

It's currently being used in the mainstage production at our theater! The Lord of the Underworld rides it around onstage. I took it for a brief onstage spin during tech work for Radio Lab, the weekend before last. I liked the feel of it and the easy pace by which a person pedals a tricycle. I also like that it only has a single gear because I never could figure all of that stuff out and being as Chicago is flat, I don't have need for a whole lot of gears, anyways.

The Production Manager mentioned in the staff meeting that it was up for sale. He asked $200 for it. I talked him down to $150. I asked him about the basket and the breaks for it. He agreed to put the basket back on it, but said that he would knock it down to $100, if I put my own breaks back on it. I agreed, with the stipulation that I break down payments into $25 a week. "Sold!" he said, grateful to have it off of his hands. With some of the original cost recuperated.

I can pick it up on Sunday evening after the show closes. I have Stinger rehearsal until 6pm. I'll try to swing by after that, pick her up and ride her home. I think she's going to live in either the unused stairway to my basement. Or I could, when the weather gets nice again, build a little shelter for her, in the area between the two buildings and make sure that she's covered and doesn't get snowed and rained on. I think she'll last longer, if I take good care of her.

I'll ride her to rehearsals. I'll ride her to work. And to the Playground for shows. Well, down anywhere near Belmont, actually. This is going to save me time, as I wait for buses and trains and are perpetually late, because I am standing around, waiting for public transportation. It will be nice to hop on my bike and get going as soon as I get out of my apartment.

Hey, I just noticed how quickly I decided that the bike is a "her" and how quickly I am thinking of her as "mine".

Also, she looks roughly like this...



Nice!

Cheers,
Mr.B

PS. To those who would very obviously point out that this is not exactly the coolest bike in the world, let me respond that I hear you and agree with you. But it's intended to be a unique and interesting form of transportation that gets me from Point A to Point B and makes for pleasant afternoon and evening rides. A tricycle isn't for a "go-getter". It's for a "get-there-when-we-get-there". I'm totally fine with (and even appreciate) the lack of coolness in this purchase.